HUNTSVILLE – Sam Houston State has locked up its spot in the Southland Conference Tournament. Now, it has an opportunity to potentially improve seeding and finish the regular season on a strong note.

The Bearkats host Stephen F. Austin on Friday at 6:30 p.m. from Pritchett Field in the regular-season finale. Sam Houston currently sits seventh in the conference standings and can finish no worse but does have a chance to jump Abilene Christian, who sits one point ahead with one left.

Sam Houston is riding a five-match unbeaten streak, its longest since October 2015, after registering a 2-1 win at ACU last Friday and a 2-2 draw on Sunday at Incarnate Word. A win on Friday would push the Kats over .500 for the first time since winning two of three matches to begin the season.

The Kats are seeking their second-straight win at Pritchett against the Ladyjacks. Two season ago, the squad snapped SFA’s 32-match unbeaten streak with a 1-0 win. Sam Houston is 4-2-1 at the facility this season and has lost just once in its last four matches on its home field.

Sam Houston’s rejuvenated offense will look to break through against Stephen F. Austin’s strong defense. The Kats enter Friday fourth in the league in points per match (1.80) while the ‘Jacks are third in goals allowed per match at 1.06.

Following the match, the Kats will turn their attention towards the league tournament, held next Wednesday through Sunday in Corpus Christi. Sam Houston will either play as the No. 7 seed at 11 a.m. or as the six-seed at 2 p.m. on the opening day.

QUOTEABLES:Head coach Tom Brown on the rivalry match against SFA… “Any Sam Houston - Stephen F. Austin game is going to be one that all players look forward to playing in. As a staff, we won't have to get players up to compete in this game.”

Head coach Tom Brown on the current five-match unbeaten streak… “The team has done a good job of finding ways not to lose games over the past three weeks. I don't think we are quite at our best yet, but it says something about a team that can win when it is not at its best.”

Head coach Tom Brown on the importance of continuing momentum into the tournament… “With Friday night’s game, I am more concerned about what our performance looks like then the result of the game. Even with a win, we need some help to move up a spot in the seeding’s so it is not a big point for me. I think how we play and compete on the night will be more important in establishing momentum into the conference tournament.”